Updated edition of best-selling guide for PHR and SPHR candidates
The demand for qualified human resources professionals is on the rise. The new Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) exams from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) reflect the evolving industry standards for determining competence in the field of HR. This new edition of the leading PHR/SPHR Study Guide reflects those changes. Serving as an ideal resource for HR professionals who are seeking to validate their skills and knowledge, this updated edition helps those professionals prepare for these challenging exams.
- Features study tools that are designed to reinforce understanding of key functional areas
- Provides access to bonus materials, including a practice exam for the PHR as well as one for the SPHR. Also includes flashcards and ancillary PDFs
- Addresses key topics such as strategic management, workforce planning and employment, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations
This new edition is must-have preparation for those looking to take the PHR or SPHR certification exams in order to strengthen their resume.
Table of Contents:
Introduction xxi Assessment Test xxviii
Chapter 1 Certifying Human Resource Professionals 1
The Human Resource Profession 2
Development of the Human Resource Body of Knowledge 3
Defining the Functional Areas of the BOK 5
Core Knowledge Requirements of the BOK 7
Certification Levels 8
Eligibility Requirements 10
Recertification 11
The Test 12
It’s Experiential and Federal 14
What the Questions Look Like 14
Preparing for the Exam 15
Taking the Exam 20
Summary 22
Chapter 2 Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals23
Needs Assessment and Analysis 25
Third-Party Contract Management 26
Communication Skills and Strategies 28
Employee Communication 28
Professional Communication 30
Documentation Requirements 30
Documenting Employment Actions 30
Documenting Performance Issues 30
Adult Learning Processes and Learning Styles 32
Motivation Concepts 34
Abraham Maslow: The Hierarchy of Needs (1954) 34
B. F. Skinner: Operant Conditioning (1957) 35
Frederick Herzberg: Motivation/Hygiene Theory (1959) 35
Douglas McGregor: Theory X and Theory Y (1960) 36
David McClelland: Acquired Needs Theory (1961) 36
J. Stacey Adams: Equity Theory (1963) 36
Victor Vroom: Expectancy Theory (1964) 37
Clayton Alderfer: ERG Theory (1969) 37
Leadership Concepts 38
Behavioral Theories 39
Situational Theories 39
Contingency Theories 41
Leadership Styles 42
Project Management Concepts 42
Diversity Concepts 44
Human Relations Concepts 46
HR Ethics and Professional Standards 46
Human Resource Technology 47
HRIS Systems 47
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis 53
Data Collection 54
Analysis Tools 54
Qualitative Analysis 58
Metrics: Measuring Results 58
Change Management 60
Job Analysis and Description 61
Job Analysis 61
Job Descriptions 62
Employee Records Management 63
Interrelationships Among HR Activities 74
Organizational Structures 76
Environmental Scanning Concepts 79
Environmental Scanning Tools 80
Employee Attitude Assessment 83
Basic Budgeting and Accounting 84
Accounting 84
Budgeting 86
Risk Management 87
Summary 90
Exam Essentials 90
Review Questions 92
Chapter 3 Business Management and Strategy 97
Organizations 100
External Business Environment 100
Internal Business Operations 101
Strategy 108
Strategic Planning 109
Human Capital Management Plans 116
Strategic Management 119
Strategic Relationships 120
Corporate Responsibility 121
Change Management 124
Enterprise Risk Management 127
HR Technology 130
Legislative and Regulatory Processes 131
Legislative Process 131
Administrative Law 132
Lobbying 133
Corporate Governance 133
Organization Values and Ethics 134
Whistle-Blower Protection 138
Ethics Officers 140
HR Metrics: Measuring Results 141
Global Considerations 142
Summary 142
Exam Essentials 143
Review Questions 144
Chapter 4 Workforce Planning and Employment 149
Federal Employment Legislation 151
Civil Rights Legislation 152
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 154
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 156
Civil Rights Act of 1991 158
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 160
Federal Contractors, Subcontractors, and Agencies 161
Annual EEO Survey 162
Affirmative Action Plans 166
Strategic Workforce Planning 168
Workforce Goals and Objectives 168
Job Analysis and Description 169
Qualified Employees 170
Translating Organization Goals into Staffing Plans 174
Labor Market Analysis 176
Staffing Programs 177
Sourcing and Recruiting Candidates 177
Candidate Selection Tools 185
Employment Offers 202
Post-offer Employment Activities 204
Organization Exit/Off-Boarding Processes 209
Voluntary Exit Processes 209
Involuntary Exit Processes 210
Records Management: The Life Cycle 214
Metrics: Measuring Results 216
Global Considerations 217
Exam Essentials 220
Review Questions 222
Chapter 5 Human Resource Development 227
Federal Employment Legislation 229
Copyright Act of 1976 229
U.S. Patent Act 230
Organization Development 230
Strategic Interventions 231
Techno-Structural Interventions 236
Human Process Interventions 243
Human Resource Management Interventions 245
Talent Management 246
Management Development 250
Leadership Development 251
Employee Training Programs 251
Performance-Management Programs 267
Performance Appraisal 268
Elements of Performance Appraisal 269
Timing Performance Appraisals 269
Performance-Appraisal Methods 270
Training Performance Evaluators 272
Unique Employee Needs 274
Diversity Initiatives 276
Flexible Work Arrangements 276
Repatriation 276
Metrics: Measuring Results 277
Global Considerations 278
Summary 279
Exam Essentials 280
Review Questions 281
Chapter 6 Compensation and Benefits 285
Total Rewards Defined 287
Compensation and Benefits Philosophy 288
Compensation Strategy 291
Budgeting and Accounting for Total Rewards 292
Fiduciary Responsibility 293
Compensation 293
Federal Employment Legislation 296
Types of Compensation 307
Traditional Pay Structures 315
Benefits 325
Involuntary Benefits 327
Voluntary Benefits 343
Payroll 364
Payroll Systems 364
Payroll Administration 365
Communicating Compensation and Benefits Programs 369
Executive Compensation 369
Stock Options 372
Board of Directors/Outside Directors 374
Metrics: Measuring Results 375
Global Considerations 376
Summary 376
Exam Essentials 377
Review Questions 378
Chapter 7 Employee and Labor Relations 383
Federal Employment Legislation 385
Common-law Doctrines 387
Legal Statutes 390
Employee Rights and Responsibilities 399
Employee Relations 400
Organization Climate and Culture 400
Employee Relations Programs 404
Workplace Policies and Procedures 407
Performance Improvement 409
Dispute Resolution 415
Arbitration 415
Mediation 416
Constructive Confrontation 418
Labor Relations 418
Labor Laws and Organizations 419
Employee Rights 420
Union Organization 424
What Can an Employer Do? 424
The Organizing Process 425
Collective Bargaining 431
Union Avoidance Strategies 437
Metrics: Measuring Results 438
Global Considerations 439
Summary 440
Exam Essentials 440
Review Questions 442
Chapter 8 Risk Management 447
Risk Identification 449
HR Tools to Identify and Assess Risk 450
Risk Assessment 453
Assessing Legal Compliance Risks 453
Assessing Safety and Health Risks 473
Assessing Security Risks 481
Risk Management 486
Managing Legal Compliance Risks 486
Managing Safety and Health Risks 489
Managing Security Risks 495
Managing Business Continuity Risks 501
Managing Workplace Privacy Risks 504
Metrics: Measuring Results 507
Global Considerations 509
Summary 510
Exam Essentials 510
Review Questions 511
Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 515
Chapter 2: Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals516
Chapter 3: Business Management and Strategy 518
Chapter 4: Workforce Planning and Employment 521
Chapter 5: Human Resource Development 523
Chapter 6: Compensation and Benefits 526
Chapter 7: Employee and Labor Relations 528
Chapter 8: Risk Management 531
Appendix B Case Study: Where the Green Glass Grows 535
The Company 536
The Customer 537
Exercises 537
Answer Key and Additional Exercise 539
Appendix C Federal Employment Legislation and Case Law 543
Legislation and Case Law Summary 544
Additional Cases 554
1968: Rosenfeld v. Southern Pacific 554
1969: Weeks v. Southern Bell Telephone Co. 555
1973: McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green 556
1978: Regents of California v. Bakke 556
1979: United Steelworkers v. Weber 557
1981: Texas Department of Community Affairs v. Burdine 557
1987: Johnson v. Santa Clara County Transportation Agency558
1987: School Board of Nassau v. Arline 558
1989: Martin v. Wilks 559
1992: Electromation, Inc. v. NLRB 560
1993: E. I. DuPont & Co. v. NLRB 561
1993: St. Mary’s Honor Center v. Hicks 562
1995: McKennon v. Nashville Banner Publishing Co. 563
2001: Circuit City Stores v. Adams 563
Appendix D Resources 565
Business Management and Strategy 567
Books 567
Professional Associations 567
Workforce Planning and Employment 568
Books 568
Professional Associations 568
Human Resource Development 569
Books 569
Professional Associations 569
Compensation and Benefits 570
Books 570
Professional Associations 570
Employee and Labor Relations 570
Books 570
Professional Associations 571
Risk Management 571
Books 571
Professional Associations 572
Appendix E About the Additional Study Tools 573
Additional Study Tools 574
Sybex Test Engine 574
Electronic Flashcards 574
PDF of Glossary of Terms 574
Adobe Reader 574
System Requirements 575
Using the Study Tools 575
Troubleshooting 575
Customer Care 576
Index 577
About the Author :
Sandra M. Reed, PHR, SPHR, is the owner of Epoch Resources, a consulting firm specializing in the unique HR needs of small businesses. Sandra has authored learning modules and case studies for the Society for Human Resource Management. Anne M. Bogardus worked with growing biotech, high-technology, and public relations organizations at the manager and director levels. She is the author of Human Resources JumpStart and the previous editions of PHR/SPHR Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide. Technical Editor Brenda G. Budke, SPHR, directs an HR consulting firm in Fresno, California. She is founder and Dean of a corporate university, and is past president of the Human Resource Association of Central California (HRACC).
